Diagnostic Yield of Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy in a Low Volume Center When Performed by Community Pulmonologists

Introduction: Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) may be used for evalua-tion of pulmonary nodules. The purpose of this study was to determine the yield of ENB at a low volume center (0–4 cases per month), where the cases were performed by community pul-monologists neither trained in interventional pulmonology nor an expert in electromagnetic navi-gational bronchoscopy. The primary endpoint was to find the diagnostic yield of ENB at our center. A safety analysis was also performed to evaluate complications during the procedures. Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review of all the patients who had undergone ENB from January 2019 to January 2021 was performed. A total of 29 ENB procedures were performed during that time frame. Four ENB procedures were performed for fiducial placement and were not included in the study. Results: Diagnosis was made in 72% of patients (18 cases out of 25 cases). With the exception of a single pneumothorax, no other complications were found. Conclusions: In conclusion our study shows that ENB, performed at low volume center by physicians not formally trained in interven-tional pulmonology or considered as experts in the procedure, has a high diagnostic yield and a good safety profile. This study shows that ENB may be performed by community pulmonologists at low volume center with a diagnostic yield comparable to high volume centers. This will be help improve access of ENB to more patients.